Re: Karen's Questions

["superpat" <superpat@gateway.net>]

Lucky you, Wendy to have a wonderful horse to love and partner with. I adore
my Engelita but I cannot say she never pulls on me. At the start of some
rides, I wonder if it is worth trying to hold her back.  But we are
learning. Thanks for your post. I too like to use my HRM during a
competition. It gives me instant notification if there is a problem.
Pat

----- Original Message -----
From: <guest@endurance.net>
To: <ridecamp@endurance.net>
Sent: Thursday, October 26, 2000 11:09 AM
Subject: RC: Karen's Questions


> Wendy Merendini merendiniws@navair.navy.mil
> This is long - and is only my opinion and what has worked for
> me.
> About using heart rate monitors...
> I do believe that folks do not seem to be using them
> to their best advantage.  HRM are a great training aid -
> especially if your goal is a top competitive horse.
>
> I use mine on every training ride.
> Flikka, for example:  After a warm up,
> I want Flikka's normal working range to be between 150
> and 160.  For intervals I want to push her to
> over 200 (I can get her to 220) and then I want to know how
> fast she is coming down.  I do not want to "guess" I want to
> know!  Now I know Flikka well enough to tell where she is
> heart rate wise most of the time - but why guess when there
> is a tool that with a quick glance at your monitor
> tells the story?
>
> I use my HRM during competition to monitor my horse through
> out.  I do not want heart rates going above a certain level.  The
> level differs as to the terrain.  If it is a flat ride and I am
> getting readings above 120, then something is wrong and needs
> attention.  Now if the terrain is mountainous or has long gradual
> climbs I would expect higher heart rates.  How high would depend
> on the horse, and as I have trained the horse with the HRM at
> home I know what range the horse should be working within - no
> guess work!  Now these heart rate ranges apply to the trot and
> canter.  And yes, a fit horse can trot and canter an entire
> 100 mile ride!
>
> As for incorrect readings - You need to play with the placement
> of the electrodes as each horse is built different you may not
> be getting a steady contact.  If you are cantering up a hill
> and the horse's heart rate is reading 100, I would lay odds that
> your electrodes are not making steady contact.  I had that issue
> with Flikka and with playing around with the electrode placement
> I am now getting correct readings.  Additionally, check your girth, if it
is hanging you will not get good readings.
>
> That said - I never train a new horse with a HRM for at least the
> first or second year of work.  Now I am referring to the starting
> of a three/four year old - not the older horse that has been
> working as some level training be racing, showing, etc.
> As you can train the cardio system much faster than
> the rest of the body it could be possible to allow the horse
> to go faster/longer than he should and cause too much stress
> and possible injury to developing muscles, tendons etc.
>
> Now as for type/size of horse - I like tall horses.  I just like
> the way they move with a longer, reacher stride.  For this sport
> I want a narrow long muscled horse, they normally dissipate heat
> more efficiently.  It is a fallacy to state that tall horses do
> not recover as well as their smaller counterparts, it is more of
> an issue of bulk and muscle type rather than height.
> For example: Flikka is 16 hands and can come into a vet check at
> a canter and recover to 60 criteria in one to two minutes.  Her
> 16.1 hand brother can recover just a quickly.
>
> As for temperment - give me the "sweethearts"!  My Flikka is as
> sweet and gentle as they come.  She has NEVER pulled on me.
> I can start a race on a loose rein, and I am sure all who know
> my mare would never say she is not a top competitor!
>
> Wendy Merendini
>
>
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